Vaishnavi Prakash
New Delhi [India], April 21: Dhruva Kumar, a prominent ALBA Party politician, educationist, and trade unionist, has become a leading figure in Scotland’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty, workers’ rights, and the fight against religious prejudice and Hinduphobia. Renowned for his commitment to social justice, Kumar’s influence stretches well beyond the sphere of religious equality. As the principal author of Scotland’s first parliamentary motion condemning anti-Hindu hate, brought forward by MSP Ash Regan and passed at Holyrood, Kumar has not only helped secure a historic milestone for Scotland’s Hindu community but has also been at the forefront of campaigns tackling fuel poverty, deindustrialisation, and the housing crisis. His work consistently anchors Scotland’s quest for self-determination and enhances the nation’s global reputation.
In a landmark moment for religious equality, Scotland has become the first UK nation to formally condemn Hinduphobia through a historic parliamentary motion, a victory spearheaded by Dhruva Kumar, the Indian-origin scholar and General Secretary of the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS). The motion (S6M-17089), tabled by Ash Regan MSP on April 8, 2025, marks the culmination of Kumar’s year-long crusade to expose systemic anti-Hindu prejudice, blending Gandhian principles with policy advocacy.
Dhruva Kumar’s journey, from trade unionist to ALBA Party candidate to architect of the UK’s first parliamentary-recognised report on Hinduphobia, reads like a playbook for turning activism into institutional change. His 19-page report, “Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice” (co-authored with Anuranjan Jha, Sukhi Bains, and Neil Lal), shattered silence with damning evidence: temple vandalism, workplace discrimination, and curricular erasure of Hindu contributions.
“Gandhiji taught us non-violence includes fighting ignorance,” Kumar said, referencing his report’s call to amend Scotland’s Hate Crime Act and revamp school curricula. “This motion isn’t just about Hindus, it’s about proving Scotland’s diversity is more than rhetoric.”
Fondly known as Prof Dhruva Kumar’s strategy was surgical. As a former Glasgow South parliamentary candidate for the pro-independence ALBA Party, he leveraged political networks to present the report to the Cross-Party Group on Racial and Religious Prejudice. MSPs across parties, including SNP’s Stephanie Callaghan and Kevin Stewart, backed the subsequent motion.
“Dhruva turned data into dialogue,” said Neil Lal. “His research gave MSPs no room to look away.”
The comprehensive report and motion’s passage triggered international headlines, with Kumar’s media blitz, from Glasgow’s community radio to The North Edinburgh News, amplifying the issue across 150+ outlets. “Scotland has set a precedent Westminster must now follow,” a community advocate cited in the report.
With the motion passed, Kumar’s focus shifts to implementation: pushing for Hinduphobia’s inclusion in hate crime laws, interfaith hubs, and mandatory diversity training. “Laws alone aren’t enough,” he insists. “We need hearts and minds.”
As Scotland reckons with its multicultural identity, Dhruva Kumar’s legacy is clear: he turned Gandhian idealism into tangible change, proving that minorities need not plead for dignity; they can demand it.
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